Breakthough Prayer

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“People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b)

Recently, I decided to reverse the usual route of my two-mile walk. Bored with walking down the hill to a traffic light, turning right and circling back, I turned at the first street instead. From the opposite direction, the yards looked different. A tree-fort that was well hidden from the direction I usually walked stood out now. I noticed swimming pools I’d never seen before.

It made me wonder how different my circumstances would appear if I looked at them from the other direction too. Instead of seeing the world through my human filters, I decided to make a concerted effort to see it through God’s perspective. God looks at us with His unconditional, loving eyes. He looks past our physical appearance. What if I were to view my annoyances through the eyes of God? Would they be molehills instead of mountains? Better yet, would they turn into anthills?

I decided to experiment for a day. When I drove to work, instead of grumbling about a driver who cut in front of me, I saw the person as a distracted sister in Christ. Was her mother terminally ill in a nursing home down the street? Perhaps her child lay in the hospital with an illness. I said a prayer for her, knowing God had her life in His hands.

At a store counter, a college-age youth gave me no smile, no sign he wanted to assist me despite the name tag that asked, “How can I help you today?” I wondered if he struggled with grades in school, had a load of homework and worked full time to financially help his single mother. I’ll never know, but God does. He knew the reasons the clerk’s attitude needed a lift. As I walked away, I prayed God would bring him relief from the challenges he faced.

Usually slow service at lunch irritates me. The one-day experiment made me look at the waiter through God’s eyes. He juggled many tables. Some customers growled at him for the slowness of the food. There was a wedding ring on his hand. He dealt with complaining customers and worked on his feet provide for his family. I prayed that the kitchen would run smoother, make his job less stressful and then prayed for his family. Once again, God knew their needs and issues. I could only pray and tip enough to compensate for light tips from complainers at other tables.

God chose to place these individuals before me on my experimental day. Seeing each of them through His eyes not only made my day pleasant, it kept my focus on His kingdom rather than the little annoyances.

In Samuel 16:7 we see that God graciously looks at our hearts, not our outward appearance. I must do the same to keep in alignment with His commandments. Now, when I’m cut off in traffic or scowled at by a service person, I look beyond the outward appearance. Each day presents me with opportunities to show God’s grace. A one-day experiment changed me for a lifetime.

Questions:  Who has God placed on your path this day that needs His grace? How does God see these people compared to our limited view?

How can we pray for you today?

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

This truth has been changing my life over the past few months. There is always more to God than what I am currently experiencing. He is asking me, “Do you want me, Eric?”

It’s a simple question, and He’s asking you the same thing. Do you want more of God?

Do you want more God in hard times? If times are hard for you, God is there, able to catch, hold and comfort you. We can’t fall too low for He sank to the deepest depths and knows every temptation. (Hebrews 4:15) His Spirit is our Comforter. Do you want Him?

Do you want more God in good times? If times are good, God is even better that you dream Him to be. In our moments of greatest revelation we only see a slice of God. We can never encapsulate His goodness in a word, song, or even a lifetime. (Job 11:7 and 1 Cor. 13:12) God is better than we know.

In hard times, He is good and He is working things out for the good of those who love Him.

In good times, He is even better than we think He is, and infinitely more so.

The desire to know God should compel us into every Christian virtue, from the private practice of humble meditation to the public expression of bold evangelism.

There’s always more God. Do you want Him?

Father, I want to know You and the power of Your resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in Your sufferings. Teach me to press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, help me to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which You have called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Amen  (Adapted from Phil 3:10-14)

Question: How do you get to know God better?

We know what we’re supposed to think about but HOW do you actually do that? We can walk you through it.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

I walked into the spacious church library, a room filled with books by some of Christianity’s greatest authors. The volunteer librarian that day was a woman of mature years, a Christian committed to Christ and to the church. At the moment of my visit, she was munching on her lunchtime sandwich but still totally available to visitors.

But what was that voice I heard in the background? An angry voice derided what he considered to be the “wrong” people currently in office. I spied a small radio that the volunteer had turned down low. She was listening to a talk show host during her lunch hour. With millions of words surrounding her, words that could instruct, encourage, turn her more fully to the face of Christ, she was listening to the angry words of one man.

In his book, Good to Great in God’s Eyes, author Chip Ingram relates the results of research on the effects of media on how people think:

One of (the) studies attempted to determine the impact of a five-minute radio program that was filled with negative news stories… After evaluating the listeners who were daily exposed to five minutes of bad news…four discernible effects were shown: (1) they were more depressed than before; (2) they believed the world was a negative place; (3) they were less likely to help others; and (4) they began to believe that what they heard would soon happen to them.

After the Apostle Paul encourages Christians to think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,” he goes on to give the outcome of such determined focus: “And the God of peace will be with you.”

Radical opinions—on any side of the spectrum—can disturb our peace. God’s plan for our thinking brings peace.

Father, I want to fill my mind and heart with Your words and Your thoughts. Teach me to be a careful consumer. May I often speak of You. Amen

Question: Whose words are you listening to?

Learn to better manage your time

Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephasor the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. (1 Corinthians 3:18-23)

In 1956, a small group of missionaries formed a plan to reach a tribe of people who called themselves the ‘Huaorani’ in the forests of Ecuador. This tribe was extremely hostile to outsiders, and the missionaries’ only contact from the tribe warned them not to trust the Huaroani: “To you the might seem friendly for a while, but they will not stop short of killing.” Nevertheless, the missionaries knew they had to try to reach these people.

Their plan involved air-dropping small gifts to the tribe, then setting up camp nearby and gradually gaining the tribespeoples’ trust. Everything seemed to be working according to plan … until one day all five missionaries were suddenly killed by the Huaorani. Due to their previous contact with outsiders, the Huaorani were intensely distrustful of the missionaries, and instinctively feared a trap.

Newspapers around the world reported the story, and some called the men foolish for trying to make contact with the tribe. A “waste of lives”, some called it. But their work not only laid the foundation upon which later missionaries would be able to successfully share the gospel with the Huaorani, it also inspired hundreds of young people to volunteer to become missionaries themselves. (Adapted from Jesus Freaks Volume II, by DC Talk)

Paul writes that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight” (1 Corinthians 3:19) The world will not understand the selfless devotion felt toward the God who has saved us, and may even call us foolish or persecute us for living first and foremost for God. Jesus explains that “They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” (John 15:21) When the world thinks it is wise, it is really foolish for ignoring God who is the source of all wisdom.

Today, let’s renew our commitment to knowing and living the gospel so that we can more winsomely witness to others, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Question: In what way(s) could you ask God to make you a more winsome witness?

About this Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalformen/authors/darren-hewer/

Busy or fruitful – can you tell the difference?

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Recently, we celebrated Easter. Most of us likely spent it with family. Some families get along great while others can’t go a holiday without bickering and showing some impressive differences in personality. Luke tells a story of a typical family with two sisters who couldn’t have been more different: Mary and Martha. (Their brother Lazarus is the one who Jesus raised from the dead.)

Luke 10 gives a little glimpse into their lives. Martha was the “responsible” sister, who was on the ball and worked her tail off to make sure everything was ready when Jesus came to stay. I totally get Martha. I relate to her. She and I would’ve been good friends if I’d lived 2,000 years ago.

And then there’s Mary: the free spirit. The lover/peacemaker. The one who might be prone to wandering off because she’s marveling at nature. She’s the one I don’t understand one bit, because to me—at first glance—she was lazy.

I mean, hello! There were things to be done and all she was doing was sitting “at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said”. (Luke 10:39b) Meanwhile, Martha was running around like a chicken with her head cut off. In my mind, I can see the feathers flapping and flying as she races around the kitchen.

But here’s the thing. Even though Martha’s intentions were good, even though she was taking care of others and serving them, Jesus told her that “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42b)

Uh…what?

That’s right. Mary chose what was better. Jesus also told Martha these wise words, “[Y]ou are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.” (Luke 10:41b-42a) That “one” thing that’s needed is Jesus.

It’s so, so easy for us to get wrapped up in all that we have to do. Our lives are full of “doing.” Much of the time, the activities that fill our day are intended to lift others up and serve the Lord. And that, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. What is bad is when the “doing” outweighs—or altogether obliterates—the time spent praying, seeking God’s face, listening to what He has to say.

Father, Remind me that time with you is not a duty or even an item to be checked of my to do list.  Time with you is a gift. Help me to honor that and to come and be still before You.  I want to hear what You have to say.

Question: Have you ever struggled with being a Martha? If so, what could you do to be more like Mary in your everyday life?

Are you weary today? Come talk to a mentor.

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25)

An effective teacher always ends a lesson with a summary to reinforce the concepts. Often we are eager to look ahead, set goals, and plan for the future. This is good to do, but how often do we take the time to think on what has passed?

A while ago, my pastor’s wife was talking about the changing season– how summer had passed and fall had arrived. She went on to say that at the end of each season it was her habit to reflect on what has happened, and in her prayers she spends some time “wrapping that season up” – like a gift, then presenting everything that transpired during those days back to God with thankfulness.

I liked that idea. I thought about why it’s so important to stop and make a summary of the different seasons that our lives pass through before setting goals.  It’s rather like house cleaning for the soul. We can give God any resentful feelings, disappointments and failures. We can ask Him to take them from us and leave us with a clean slate to move forward.

Taking time to reflect on God and His past faithfulness re-affirms our assurance of His continued presence. As we reflect on God’s goodness we begin to overflow with thankfulness. We are renewed. Then, we can offer ourselves again as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. (Romans 12:1)

I recently read a book by Marie Chapian called The Emancipation of Robert Sadler.  It is a powerful true story of a twentieth-century plantation slave. At the close of the book Sadler summarizes his life through Chapian’s words. His wife has passed on and he’s alone with his feelings. All his memories, songs, and melodies have woven themselves into one cry …Jesus.

Summaries are good. If you take inventory of your life today and you find you’ve failed and you’re lacking peace it could be that you’ve been carrying an added load of baggage for way too long. Jesus said, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) God longs to write on the slate of your life today—He wants to write something new.

Thank you God that you take delight in us. Teach us to handle the seasons of our lives with care. With the power of Your Holy Spirit remind us to summarize our seasons yielding all that has been before, and all that will come, into Your hands.   Amen

Question: When you reflect on your past, where do you see assurance of God’s faithfulness?

“Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will all give up. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint”
(Isaiah 40:30,31)

I flew all night from Los Angeles to New York for a very important meeting with the president of one of the major television networks, and after only three hours in New York flew back across the continent to Portland, Oregon, to speak that night at a conference of several hundred pastors.

Every fiber of my being ached with fatigue as I waited for my luggage in the Portland airport. In only 30 minutes I would be speaking to the pastors, yet I felt about as spiritual as a head of cabbage. Suddenly I felt impressed to pray, “Lord, do You have something You would like to share with me?”

Immediately I felt a leading to turn to the 40th chapter of Isaiah. As I read those familiar words, which at that instant had new, inspiring meaning for me, I sensed a surge of strength, energy, and power flow into and through my body. I suddenly felt that I could have thrown my luggage over the building and run to the meeting several miles away.

I could hardly wait to stand before those servants of God and proclaim to them the wonder and majesty, the glory and power, the faithfulness and love of our God. Within a half hour or so, I did have that privilege and God empowered and anointed me for the occasion in a most unusual and marvelous way.

Bible Reading: Isaiah 40:25-29

Today’s Action Point:
As I discover a need for renewed strength today, I will say with the psalmist, “I will go in the strength of the Lord God” (Psalm 71:16a, KJV). I will repeat that solemn declaration throughout the day, and by faith will claim His supernatural strength for my every physical and spiritual need.

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Ten reasons to hope.

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed….” (Romans 4:18a)

I’m thankful that hope is so stubborn. If it wasn’t, I think I’d be a goner. Many times my circumstances have tempted me to throw in the towel, but each time I find hope popping to the surface and eventually taking over.

Oh, I’ve tried to resist. I’ve let discouraging thoughts smother the “noble, lovely and praiseworthy.” I’ve listened to the whispers of failure more times than I care to remember. I’ve allowed the voice of disappointment to become louder than a scream. But with the predictability of a Hallmark movie, I find that after all my rants and raves, hope stands there quietly waiting. She penetrates my protests with the undeniable assurance that it’s gonna be okay.

It’s a God thing, of course. Scripture compares hope to an anchor (Hebrews 6:19). It attaches us to what is really real, to what is solid. It causes hearts that would otherwise go adrift to dig in to the truth.

Abraham learned this truth about hope. Although he didn’t start out that way, he arrived at that place which required him to “hope against hope.” He had been given big promises — promises accompanied by big delays. These delays stretched him, pushed him to the edge, and disheartened him.  Proverbs 13:12 reminds us that, “hope deferred makes the heart sick.” But in spite of all the waffling doubts he kept hoping.

The stubborn nature of hope arose every time he looked at the brilliance of the night.  He must have seen God’s promise echoed in the sky. When he walked in the endless desert sand he was reminded that God said, “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.” (Genesis 13:16) Whenever he heard his new name, “Abraham,” hope took him back to the time when God told him he would be the “father of many nations”. (Genesis 17:5) Hope bound him so tightly to the word of God that it yielded the indomitable substance we call faith.

It will do the same for us. So go ahead. Give in to the stubbornness of hope.

Father, Remind me that it is safe to hope in You. Your word is strong and Your promises are forever.  My only hope is in You.  Amen

Question: How does Abraham’s stubborn hope impact you today?

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“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

If you knew that your house was going to burn down and you could only get one thing, what would it be?   Family pictures?  The car? Your Bible? Do you find yourself struggling with that question because you can’t decide what one thing you would take? Are too many things to pick just one?  Or maybe you think that there isn’t anything important in your house – just your family members.

My husband’s brother and his wife had their house catch fire a few years ago.   It was early morning and everyone was sleeping.  Praise God they all woke up and the whole family got out of the house.  When the volunteer fire department got there they asked them, “What do you want us to rescue?”  They wanted their family photo albums, something they knew they couldn’t replace.

After losing pretty much everything they owned my brother-in-law and sister-in-law realized that what they had on this earth wasn’t nearly as important as what they were laying up in heaven.  They left a well paying job, family members and their church family to go and serve God in Wyoming.

In the movie, Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler, a wealthy German businessman employs Jewish people to work in his factories during the Holocaust.  At first he is only concerned about making money and being successful but as time goes on he begins to realize that when he requests someone to work for him he is literally saving their life.  By the end of the movie his whole focus has turned from being successful to saving as many Jews as he can.

There is a scene in the movie where he gathers all of his Jewish employees together and tells them that the war is over and they are free to go.  Then he looks down at a pin on his jacket and yanks it off, with tears pouring down his cheeks he says, “Would this have bought one more person?” and he falls to the ground racked with agony because he chose his pin over a fellow human being.

I can’t help but wonder, when I get to heaven will I feel the same way? Will the money spent on a sweater I just had to have or the time I felt prompted by God to speak to a friend about Jesus and didn’t, still seem like the right decision? Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be also.

I don’t want to get to the end of my life and regret that I lost sight of what was truly important – the Kingdom of Heaven!

Lord, teach us to set our affection on things above and not on things of this earth.  Show us how to treasure what You treasure.  May we never lose sight of what is truly important – loving You and loving other people.  Amen

Questions: What do you treasure?  Where do you spend your time, your thoughts, your energy – is it on yourself, the things you own, your own comfort? There’s only one thing you can take with you to heaven – other people.